Articles

Articles overview

Article: EFSA – Safety evaluation of glucosylated steviol glycosides as a food additive in different food categories

/ infoAlimentario

The EFSA Panel on Food Additive and Flavourings (FAF) assessed the safety of glucosylated steviol glycosides proposed for use as a new food additive in different food categories. The Panel considered that the metabolism of glucosylated steviol glycosides is sufficiently similar to the already authorised steviol glycosides, and thus, the toxicological data previously assessed by the ANS Panel for steviol glycosides (E 960) were considered to support their safety as food additive. The existing acceptable daily intake (ADI) for steviol glycosides (E 960) of 4 mg/kg body weight (bw) per day expressed as steviol can also be applied to glucosylated steviol glycosides. The Panel concluded that there is no safety concern for the use of glucosylated steviol glycosides as a new food additive at the proposed use and use levels. The Panel recommended some modifications to the specifications proposed by the applicant for glucosylated steviol glycosides with respect to the assay, the definition of the proposed new food additive and the proposed maximum limits for arsenic.

For further information, you can access the original source

Article: Effect of five front-of-package nutritional labeling models on time to select food by Brazilians

/ infoAlimentario

Objective: to compare the time Brazilian adults required to make food choices with different models of front-of-pack nutrition labeling. Methods: Interviews were conducted with 150 participants, who were instructed to select the healthiest product between two foods, with eight pairs of images presented. One of the products in each pair had warnings (high in sugars, sodium, or saturated fat), evaluated in different formats according to the group in which the individual was allocated: magnifying glass, octagon, circle, triangle, and traffic light. The number of correct answers for the healthiest product in each pair and the time to correctly select of the healthiest product were measured. Results: A lower number of correct answers for the healthier product among the pairs occurred with traffic lights than with any other model (p <0.001), which is also the format in which the longest time was necessary to correctly select the healthiest product (p < 0.001). There were no significant differences between the other formats. In the individual analysis of the products, the circle performed better, with significantly less time required to make the correct choices in seven of the eight products. Conclusion: To support healthy food choices, any of the tested formats for frontal nutrition labeling are indicated, except for the traffic light. The circle appears to be a good option to reduce consumer’s time to select healthy choices.

For further information, you can access the original source in Portuguese

Article: Scientific evidence and functional foods: health claims regulation in the European Union

/ infoAlimentario

This article proposes a characterization of the European regulatory process for health claims, as well as an analysis of the controversy surrounding the methodological and evidentiary requirements for scientific substantiation. The study of regulations and relevant scientific papers looks at three issues: the epistemic policies adopted by the European Food Safety Authority, their possible implications for different areas, and proposals for alternative strategies presented by critics’ approaches. The hierarchy of evidence and methodologies defined by the regulation establishes that proving causality on the basis of randomized controlled trials is crucial for the authorisation of a claim. However, this standard of proof might be not suitable for investigating the effects of ingredients in nutrition science, promoting research, development and innovation in the functional foods sector, or improving individual and public health. The article concludes that the European Food Safety Authority may need to reconsider the epistemic policies hitherto adopted, by means of reviewing the prioritisation of its regulatory objectives and analysing the consequences for each level of proof in all contexts.

For further information, you can access the original source in Spanish

Article: Investigation into nutrition and health claims of weight management products, specifically meal replacement for weight control bars, compliance with EU regulations and a survey of consumer understanding

/ infoAlimentario

The EU strictly regulates communication of nutrition and health claims (NHCs). Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006(1) provides the legal framework on NHCs. However, which NHCs can be used by manufacturers and what they mean to consumers can be a source of confusion. This study focuses on meal replacement for weight control bars (MRBs), ultimately a type of weight management product, sold as general food with on-package information such as NHCs. This study aims to investigate whether NHCs used by companies that sell meal replacements for weight control in the form of bars, e.g. cereal or paste bars (MRBs) sold to consumers in the UK comply with EU law. A further aim is to explore consumer understanding of the meaning of NHCs.

For further information, you can access the original source

Article: Elements for the design of a tax levied to foods and beverages high in sodium, fats and/or sugars in Colombia

/ infoAlimentario

A broad international evidence shows that diets high in sodium, saturated and trans fats, and added sugars are risk factors for the development of obesity, cardiovascular diseases and type II diabetes. Therefore, this have motivated nearly 50 countries to implement “healthy taxes” to discourage the intake of some products with a high-density level of these nutrients, most of them being taxes to sweetened beverages. Through a literature review about the international experiences regarding “healthy taxes” and the estimation of a quadratic demand model (QUAIDS), this study analyzes the potential impact of different types of taxes on foods and beverages high in sodium, fats and/or sugars in Colombia on (i) the intake of these nutrients, (ii) the government revenue collection and (iii) the households’ available income for different income levels.

For further information, you can access the original source in Spanish